The SANFL season kicks off Friday night with 2024 premiers Glenelg taking on Port Adelaide Magpies at Alberton Oval, as the Tigers warn they have a hungry crop of young players coming up through the ranks.

There are high expectations for the Tigers this year, who have a chance to win a third premiership in a row after beating Sturt in the 2023 grand final.

Glenelg vice-captain Matt Allen said it had been a solid pre-season with new recruits for the reigning premiers.

“We’ve been able to bring in some new players and we had a really, really hungry crop of young players come up through our under 18 program last year,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide.

Allen said it was critical for SANFL clubs to develop young talent and get them “up to speed on your game plan as quick as you can”.

“It does take a lot of players throughout every season … and the more guys you can have ready for league footy, the better spot you’re going to be in.

“But every year’s a new one … we have had a lot of success, but it is in the past now and, unfortunately, it counts for nothing this season.”

Saturday afternoon will see Sturt play South Adelaide in Noarlunga Downs, West Adelaide play Adelaide in Richmond, and Central District play Woodville-West Torrens in Elizabeth.

Last year’s grand finalists, Norwood, will host North Adelaide on Saturday night in a televised game as the SANFL fills the television void left by the AFL’s deal with Foxtel and Kayo to end live free-to-air broadcasts on Saturday.

SANFL vs VFL

During the AFL’s Gather Round in a fortnight’s time, the SANFL and VFL men’s state sides will face off in Tanunda on Saturday, April 12, while on the Friday night at Alberton Oval, the two leagues’ respective women’s sides will play each other for the first time.

“These matches provide a unique opportunity for us to showcase the best talent in the SANFL and SANFLW on a national stage over the Gather Round major event,” said SANFL executive general manager of football Matt Duldig.

The following Easter weekend will see a Thursday night game between Sturt and Norwood, and four games played on Good Friday, which the SANFL described as a “marquee schedule”.

Then, just one week later on Anzac Day, Glenelg and Norwood — which attracted a crowd of more than 35,000 to the grand final in September — will play in the traditional rematch.

SANFL head of football operations Sean Toohey said it was an “intriguing” start to the SANFL’s season.

The SANFL this year will also send teams outside the Greater Adelaide area for two regional matches, with Norwood hosting Adelaide in Port Lincoln for Round 5, and North Adelaide playing South Adelaide in Port Pirie in Round 13 as part of the SA Country Championships.

“We are really excited to be showcasing the competition in South Australia’s regional areas, providing our country followers with a chance to watch their favourite teams up close, in familiar locations,” Mr Toohey said.

One game each week will be televised on free-to-air television, but all games can be streamed through the SANFL app.

The four-week finals season will be played at Adelaide Oval from August 31.